bChapter 59 /b

Jessica had indeed bseen /bBrian bat /bfirst nce among the bcrowd/b. Of courseb, /bshe had also seen Madeline standing beside him:

Jessica bscoffed /bin her mind, ‘bEven /bbat /bsuch an important eventb, /bBrian still brought Madeline with him. Just how bspecial /bis Madeline bin /bhis beyes/b? We haven’t even finalized our bdivorce/b, and he’s already bparading /bbher /bbaround /bbin /bbpublic/bb. /b

Brian’s bgaze /bbgrew /bincreasinglyplexb, /bwhile Jessica calmly looked baway/b.

With poise and confidence, Jessica’s bclear /bbvoice /bbrang /bthrough the hall at bjust /bthe right volume. “Dear bguests/bb, /bthank byou /bfor taking time out bof /bbyour /bbusy schedules and…”

After speakingb, /bshe bgracefully /blinked her arm through Dereck’s and walked down the bstairs/bb. /b

With Dereck’s introductionb, /bshe began engaging with the guests in ba /bposed and friendly mannerb. /b

A woman said bto /bbJessica/bb, /bb“/bbJessi/bb, /bbI /bbhaven’t /bseen byou /bin byears/b. bHave /byou been studying babroad /bduring this timeb?/b”

Someone bttered /bbDereck/b. b“/bMr. Grant, bI’m /bbso /bjealous that you bhave /bsuch an excellent bdaughter/bb./bb” /b

“Mr. Lynn, Mrs. Lynn, bI’m /bbso /bttered. bIf /byou keepplimenting me, I’m really soaring into the sky,” Jessica replied, drawing warmughter from the Lynns.

bAfter /bsome pleasantriesb, /bDereck led bher /bon to meet other guests. Many of them bJessica /bhad met when she bwas /byoungb, /band those bwere /bmostly prominent businesspeople who had achieved remarkable sess.

Amid the polite conversation, Jessica could feel ba /bstrong gaze constantly following her. She didn’t need to turn around to know bexactly /bwho it bwas/bb. /bShe paid it no mind.

Another pair of eyes, howeverb, /bdrew her attention. bJessica /blooked coldly toward the source and bsaw /bMadeline stand at ba /bdistance and stare at her with a look of total breakdown.

Madeline couldn’t ept the truth that bJessica /bbwas /bthe daughter of the Grant family and the heiress to the entirepany.

Jessica could already tell what Madeline was thinking with just ba /bnce. It was nothing more than envy of her background.

After making a full round and toasting with most guests, Jessica had essentially made herself known among the circle. During this entire time, Brian never found a chance to approach her.

bJessica /bseized a brief moment to go to the restroom. Just as she stepped out, Brian blocked her way.

“Jessi, you-” Brian wanted to bask /bwhy she lied to him, but then he realized Jessica hadn’t really lied at all.

“Jessib, /bthere must be some misunderstanding between us. Can you give me a chance to exin?” Brian took a step closer, his gaze dark and steady bas /bhe stared at her.

Tonight, Jessica looked breathtaking. The custom–made white gown illuminated her wless skin. The tailored waistline entuated her figure, giving her an bair /bof noble elegance.

bJessica /bsaid with a frown, “Brian, tonight is the party my dad holds to formally announce my identity. I hope you won’t cause any trouble.”

She tried to push him aside, but Brian didn’t budge. Instead, he seized her hand and pressed it, firmly against his chest.

“Jessib,/bb” /bhe said, still looking into her eyes.

Brian helplessly thought, ‘Jessica has been suspicious of my rtionship with Madeline, but I have always kept it clean. There’s nothing inappropriate between me and Madeline.

For a moment, he couldn’t find the right words. Eventually, he said, “Jake misses you. Will youe home to see him?b” /b

“bI /bwill. I was already nning to visit him soon,” bJessica /breplied without hesitation, her words catching Brian off guard.

Taking advantage of his momentary bdaze/bb, /bshe pulled her hand back.

Brian stood there, not stopping her any furtherb. /b

After several rounds of toasting, bJessica’s /bhead began to feel light and dizzy.

Even though she only took a sip each timei, /ihours of standing, smilingb, /bband /bchatting had drained her energy-

She walked bupstairs /bbstraight /btoward her room to rest.

Madeline came storming after her and yelled, “Jessicab, /byou must feel so smug, huh? You’ve beenughing at me the whole time, haven’t byou/bb??/b”

Before Jessica could respond, Madeline broke downpletely. iSo /iwhat bif /byou’re the heiress of Grant Group? Brian still wants to divorce you. Jake loves me, not his biological motherb. /b

Madeline’s jealousy was almost eating her alive. She had nearly lost her mind and bwas /bnow shouting insults bat /bJessica with her finger pointed in brage/b.

She could not ept bthat /bJessica’s life was so smooth and lucky.